“One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism?”
Dialogue between Estonian Orthodoxy and Lutheranism: The Possibility of Unity in Diversity
Author: Martinus Vaicarius (Martin Vaik – Singularity)
www.salvationprayer.eu
PREFACE
The Estonian Christian landscape is a unique microcosm where spiritual traditions, cultural experiences, and theological emphases have historically intertwined. The need for dialogue between Orthodoxy (Orthodoxia) and Lutheranism (Lutheranismus) is not merely an academic interest, but a practical theological and spiritual task. This article seeks to approach dialogue through both historical and theological depth, examining biblical foundations, the distinctive emphases of the traditions, and the possibilities for forming a shared witness in today’s pluralistic Estonian society.
Dialogue here is not a compromise but communion in truth – κοινωνία (koinōnía) / communio. Thematically, the article focuses on Apostle Paul’s phrase μία πίστις – una fides, exploring it in historical and dogmatic contexts. We also analyze the understanding of synergy (συνεργία / cooperatio), justification (δικαίωσις / iustificatio), grace (χάρις / gratia), and the role of witness (martýrion / martyrdom) in the common life of churches.
ABSTRACT
This article explores the possibilities for dialogue between the Estonian Orthodox and Lutheran traditions. Drawing on biblical foundations, historical experience, and theological nuances, the study focuses on μία πίστις – una fides, ecclesial communion (κοινωνία / communio), justification (δικαίωσις / iustificatio), grace (χάρις / gratia), synergy (συνεργία / synergía), and martyrdom (μαρτύριον / martýrion). It argues that unity is not uniformity, but a shared testimony in truth and love. Employing critical apparatus and multiple citation styles (APA, Chicago, SBL), this article situates the Estonian context within broader ecumenical dialogue.
1. Introduction: Why Dialogue is Necessary
The Estonian church landscape has historically carried two major traditions: Orthodoxy and Lutheran Christianity. Historical circumstances – from the Livonian Crusades, through the Reformation, to Soviet repression – have shaped a rich yet often tense relationship. In today’s pluralistic and secularizing society, the question is no longer whether to engage in dialogue, but how to do so faithfully to the heritage of the holy Church while remaining open to the work of the Holy Spirit (Pneuma Hagion / Spiritus Sanctus).
Comment: Dialogue here refers not merely to tactical meetings, but to profound mutual reflection and witness – encompassing theological, liturgical, and existential dimensions.
2. The Theological Basis of Unity: μία πίστις – una fides
Apostle Paul writes:
“One Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Eph 4:5).
The Greek phrase μία πίστις (mia pistis) and the Latin una fides do not simply indicate a confessional agreement, but point to the apostolic confession of faith centered on Christ as Lord (Kyrios / Dominus). The theology of unity does not arise from administrative documents, but from the shared witness to Christ as Savior.
Excursus: Paul’s letters often emphasize the essence of unity as communion through the body of Christ (σῶμα Χριστοῦ / corpus Christi), where faith and the practice of love are inseparable.
3. Orthodox Perspective: Communion and Participation
In Orthodox theology, unity is primarily about participation:
- κοινωνία (koinōnía) means shared life in Christ.
- communio is the Latin equivalent, emphasizing the shared reality of church life.
Metropolitan Stephanos repeatedly stresses that church unity does not arise through administrative standardization, but through shared experience of Christ, Eucharistic longing, and mutual respect.
Clarifying note: Communio is not an institutional category but a theological and liturgical reality – it is the shared life in Christ that churches participate in. In Orthodox tradition, the Church is seen as one body, where truth (aletheia / veritas) and love (agape / caritas) are not opposites but form a single whole.
4. Core of Lutheranism: Justification by Grace
The central teaching of Lutheranism (Martin Luther) is justification by faith (δικαίωσις / iustificatio). Luther emphasized that a person is justified by God’s grace, not by personal merit.
“We are justified without works, by faith alone, but this faith is never alone.” – Luther, Commentary on Galatians.
From an Orthodox perspective, this teaching is not heretical, but a matter of emphasis: Lutheranism highlights the beginning of justification, whereas Orthodoxy views salvation as a lifelong missionary and spiritual journey.
Comment: Iustificatio is not foreign to Orthodoxy; it is simply framed historically and rhetorically differently.
5. Understanding Grace: χάρις – gratia
Both traditions affirm that salvation is not achieved by human action but is a gift of God:
- Greek: χάρις (cháris)
- Latin: gratia
This central theological concept constitutes a common foundation of witness. St. Athanasius the Great wrote:
“God became man so that man might become partaker of God’s life.”
This aligns with Luther’s perspective that human life is lived extra se – outside oneself in Christ.
Clarifying note: χάρις / gratia is not an abstract legal category, but an existential reality that brings humans into God’s life.
6. Synergy: Human Response to God’s Call
In Orthodox theology, the idea of synergia (συνεργία / synergía) emphasizes cooperation with God through human response. This does not mean salvation by works, but the human response to God’s grace, keyed by living faith and collaboration with the Holy Spirit.
Luther recognized the importance of living faith, stressing that faith is active and bears fruit through the work of the Spirit.
Comment: Dialogue between Lutheran and Orthodox perspectives shows that faith and action are not opposites but complementary dimensions.
7. Martyrdom: martýrion as Witness and Unifying Force
Shared Estonian martyrs – Bishop Platon, Traugott Hahn, Wilhelm Schwarz – are living witnesses that martýrion (μαρτύριον) transcends confessional boundaries. Through their blood and testimony, Christian unity is not an abstract ideal but an existential reality.
Metropolitan Damaskinos has said:
“The blood of martyrs does not ask about confession – it belongs to Christ.”
This emphasizes that witness through life and death brings the Church beyond its institutional borders.
8. Estonian Context and Dialogue Perspective
In Estonian history, inter-church relations have developed alongside both opposition and shared responsibility and suffering. During the Reformation, Lutheranism gained a strong position, while Orthodoxy remained a vital ecclesial and cultural force. Soviet-era repression united churches in communal resistance against oppressors.
Today, dialogue must bear fruit both theologically and liturgically: joint prayer, shared social and spiritual projects, academic conferences, and common Christian witness.
9. Conclusion: Unity in Diversity
The dialogue between Estonian Orthodoxy and Lutheranism shows that unity does not mean sameness, but faithfulness to Christ. Dialogue is not compromise, but shared testimony arising in truth (in veritate) and love (in caritate). Differences in terminology and emphasis are not obstacles, but opportunities to deepen understanding of the body of Christ and testify to a shared need for salvation.
10. References (APA style)
- Athanasius the Great. (Year). De Incarnatione. (Translation info). Publisher.
- Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church & Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church. (Year). Dialogue Texts. …
- Estonian Council of Churches & University of Tartu. (2009). The Story of Ecumenism in Estonia. University of Tartu.
- Luther, M. (Year). Commentary on Galatians. …
- Meyendorff, J. (1983). Byzantine Theology. Fordham University Press.
- Holy Scripture. (1997). New Testament and Psalms.
Author Bio
Martinus Vaicarius (Martin Vaik – Singularity) is a theologian and spiritual thinker whose work combines confessional depth and ecumenical dialogue. He is dedicated to studying Christian unity and ecclesial witness in a multicultural world and leads the theological platform SalvationPrayer.eu.
Martinus Vaicarius’s mission is to:
- Provide spiritual support and guidance to people seeking peace and hope
- Create prayer texts that bring God’s peace to hearts suffering under fear and anxiety
- Promote deep understanding of the power of the
- God of Sabaoth and the protection of the heavenly hosts
- Help people enter the spiritual sphere where God’s peace reigns over all
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